Ward 1 council candidates discuss ideas

Jeremy Rodgers, John Metevia and Pam Hall are the three candidates running for the Midland City Council Ward 1 seat in the Aug. 7 primary.

Jeremy Rodgers, John Metevia and Pam Hall are the three candidates running for the Midland City Council Ward 1 seat in the Aug. 7 primary.

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Jeremy Rodgers, John Metevia and Pam Hall are the three candidates running for the Midland City Council Ward 1 seat in the Aug. 7 primary.

Jeremy Rodgers, John Metevia and Pam Hall are the three candidates running for the Midland City Council Ward 1 seat in the Aug. 7 primary.

Ward 1 council candidates discuss ideas

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Three candidates are running for the Midland City Council seat to represent the city’s first ward.

The current sitting Ward 1 councilman, Tom Adams, has held the position for 13 years and decided not to run in this year’s election. Pam Hall, John Metevia and Jeremy Rodgers are the three candidates Ward 1 voters can consider during the Aug. 7 primary election.

The two candidates with the highest number of votes cast in the primary election will be placed on the Nov. 6 ballot for ward 1.

The person receiving the highest number of votes in the November election will be declared council member for that ward and be sworn into office on Nov. 12 for a two-year term.

Pam Hall

Pam Hall says her wide range of creative interests combined with her administrative experience will make her a good addition to Midland’s City Council.

The 62-year-old was born in Kalamazoo and raised in Saginaw but has lived in Midland for 38 years and says she has seen firsthand how the city has changed.

“I care about my community and I want to leave behind something better,” Hall said. “I want to improve where I’m at, I don’t want to leave a mess for somebody else to clean up.”

Aging homes and infrastructure in Ward 1 is an issue the district needs to address, Hall said.

“Our ward is kind of a mess, it’s looking run down, people’s homes are aging, and their incomes are fixed. You can’t build buildings fast enough to accommodate that, so why not help people where they are.”

Hall has plans to finish her bachelor’s Degree in business and has held many different jobs over the years in the service industry, journalism, sales and office administration. Hall is a mother to two children who were born and raised in Midland, and is a member of the League of Women Voters and the Humane Society. In her free time, she enjoys belly dancing, considers herself a strong animal advocate, and is a member of the Harmony Diversity Choir.

“I’ve worked a lot of different jobs,” Hall said. “One of the things a new person can bring to the table is a fresh perspective.”

Hall said her communication skills and desire to educate herself on all the issues brought forth to council will make her a good addition to the governing body.

In collecting signatures for her nominating petition, Hall said her fellow ward 1 residents spoke with her about issues she could “absolutely relate with.”

“I’m planning to try to meet everyone,” Hall said. “I know that’s really ambitious but I will try to meet everyone in the ward, so they know I’m listening and taking notes.”

Jeremy Rodgers

A love for American history and learning about the founding of the United States has led to a natural transition to an interest in politics for Jeremy Rodgers.

Rodgers, 23, graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2017 with a degree in history and political science. He was born in Grand Rapids but has lived in Midland for seven years. Rodgers works for Bridgeport Manufacturing and has plans to carry on the family business.

Rodgers worked on Rep. Gary Glenn’s campaign in 2014, and volunteered for U.S. Rep. John Moolenar and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

“I learned a ton from Gary’s campaign,” Rodgers said. “Working in that role on a campaign you learn a lot about what to do, what not to do, all around it was a really great learning experience for me.”

Rodgers said he knows some people in the community are not favorable of Glenn because of his stances.

“I’m aware of that, and I’m not necessarily in agreement with everything he stands for, but I think he’s done really good work in Lansing working on deregulating the energy market.”

Rodgers’ interest in politics has led him to question the proper role and purpose of America’s government.

“I also have come to believe the government that governs least governs best,” Rodgers said. “Because the city council is a local government, it’s close to the people and the most responsive to the people. In many ways it’s probably the most efficient types of government – it does the most with the least amount of money and that’s what appeals to me.”

Making sure the council continues maintaining a high level of fiscal responsibility and representing the taxpayers will be Rodgers’ main priority if he is elected, he said.

For Rodgers, age does not have an impact on his passion and desire to serve the Midland community, he said.

“The most underrepresented demographic in the U.S. is people ages 18-25,” Rodgers said. “There are very few people in that age group that are in elected positions and I’m hoping that maybe whether I win or not that I can be an inspiration to other people (my) age to show them that they can get involved.”

Being accessible to constituents is something Rodgers said is important to him, and he plans on making it a priority if he is elected. He has been attending council meetings and graduated in the Midland Citizen Academy 2018 class.

John Metevia

John Metevia hopes to become a new voice on Midland’s city council, especially with a lot of important discussions coming up and construction happening downtown, he said.

“I hope to be a voice of reason, someone willing to listen who isn’t going to be quick to make decisions, and not always go along with what may be the popular thinking,” Metevia said.

The 61-year-old is a John Glenn High School Graduate from Bay City and has lived in Midland for almost 30 years.

Metevia works for the Great Lakes Loons and previously was a supermarket manager. He went through the Midland Citizens Academy and served two terms on the City of Midland Parks and Recreation Commission. Metevia served his last term as chairman of the board.

From his business background and working for the last eight years with the Loons, Metevia said he has gotten to meet and speak with many people across town, and is well versed in the city’s issues.

“With all the things happening downtown, I think my business experience will help,” Metevia said. “The next few years there will be a lot of changes, especially in the downtown landscape.

Metevia plans on interacting with constituents face-to-face. Metevia said he knows all of his neighbors, and as an active biker around town, going door to door will likely be his preferred approach in communicating with residents.